I built this site just for fun and it's mainly about motorcycles. I've been riding for about 4 years now and have enjoyed every moment of it. I'm currently riding a Suzuki SV650, exploring the roads in my home town in Bay Area, California.
Moto History
Ever wondered who invented the motorcycle? Well, here's a very brief time-line on our favorite past-time.
1867. Sylvester Howard Roper of Roxbury, Massachusetts is popularly credited as the first to mate a motor to a bicycle, thus creating the first motor-driven cycle. It is powered by a charcoal-fired two-cylinder steam motor mated to a bone shaker-type bicycle.
In 1885, Gottlieb Daimler of Germany patents what is generally considered to be the first true motorcycle. It featured a 4 stoke internal combustion gas engine developed by Nicolaus August Otto.
1901. America's first motorcycle, the 1901 Indian Single. Indian History
1902. Norton's first motorcycle, the Engerette. Norton History
1903. Harley Davidson's first production bike. Harley History
1905. First completely in-house built Triumph introduced. Triumph History
1909. Harley Davidson develops the first V-Twin motorcycle, the Model 5-D.
1909. The NS motorcycle by NMC, Nihon Motorcycle brand, is the first moto to be designed, manufactured and sold in Japan.
1911. American Henderson Motorcycle Co, an American motorcycle company with trademark long wheelbase, long gas tanks and smooth inline 4 cylinder motors, is formed. More.
1921. The Megola, a unique German motorcycle produced between 1921 and 1925, featured a 640cc rotary engine in the front wheel. More.
1922. Moto Guzzi's first bike, the Normale, goes into production. Moto Guzzi History
1923. BMW's first motorcycle, the R32. BMW History
1926. Arai is founded by Hirotake Arai, a hatmaker and motorcycle stunt rider. Each one is still virtually 100% hand made.
1936. Vincent HRD introduces their first model, the Rapide. Vincent HRD History
1947. Honda dips their feet into the motorcycle world by selling motorized bicycles. This is the Honda Type A. Honda History
1948. After his leathers tore from a 147 mph run, Rollie Free, on his last run, breaks the then American Motorcycle Land Speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats with a top speed of 150.313 mph in nothing but a shower cap, bathing suit and sneakers.
1949. Honda's first real motorcycle, the Dream.
1950. Ducati, like many others, started their motorcycle history with selling motorized bicycles. The first one is called the Cucciolo. Ducati History
1951. KTM's first motorcycle, the R100. KTM History
1952. Suzuki begins their journey into motorcycles by selling motorized bicycles, starting with the 1952 Power Free. Suzuki History
1955. The first Yamaha motorcycle, YA-1, was produced and sold in Japan. Yamaha History
1958. Honda introduces the Super Cub which would go on to be the best selling powered vehicle of all time.
1961. Kawasaki enters the motorcycle world with the Kawasaki Pet and 125B7. Though their first bike was the 1954 Meihatsu 125 Deluxe. The 60s is when their moto line begins. Kawasaki History
1968. Aprilia starts off by selling small displacement mopeds like the Colibri and Daniela. Aprilia History
1969. Honda introduces the CB750, the beginning of the modern superbikes. It had two notable features that were first on mass production bikes: front disk brakes and over head cam technologies.
1974. Suzuki introduces the RE-5 which features the first rotary engine in a Japanese motorcycle. Specs: 497cc, 62 hp, 507lbs dry. Produced from 1974-1976. More.
1987. Honda's first inline 4 cylinder fully faired sportbike, CBR600F (the Hurricane).
1999. Suzuki introduces their Hyper Sport, the Hayabusa.
2000. MTT introduces their jet engine powered motorcycle, the Turbine Superbike. Also known as the Y2K. 320hp, 500lbs, 227 mph top speed, about $150k.
2003. Dodge unveils their radical concept bike, the Tomahawk. Specs: 8.3L V10 Viper motor, 500hp, 1500lbs, 0-60mph in 2.5sec.
2009. Ducati Desmosedici RR. Ducati's street legal GP bike and coolest bike as of present, imho. Specs: 200hp, 85.55 lb-ft torque, about 370lb dry. A steal at $70k.